Can you change just 1 trailing arm

The CMC and FF cars are known for this, I sand away all but 1/4 - 5/16" of the driver's inner wheel well lip this give you just enough spacing and still enough meat on the fiberglass arch for structural support. You do not have to do all of the arch just a 8" or so area where the tires comes closest than just taper the sanded area.  Hope this helps and makes it easy.

I did notice that there are a large variety of axle lengths available so yeah you could do it.  Wonder if you could feel the difference on right vs left high speed turns?

https://swayaway.com/product/a...6-14-long-33-spline/

You could change it, but I wouldn't. Listen to Alan, he's fixed and sold more cars than anyone. 

It is possible you could move the body over enough to even it out, but that would be a real PIA. Now if you were going to take it apart anyway to restore everything, then absolutely move the body.

What size tires?

Heritage 2008 posted:

So my CMC has the really tight driver's side tire to fender being that it is on a 69 pan (dual spring plates). The passenger's side has 1 inch+. So--can you replace the driver's side with a shortened arm??

Please, no 5000-word explanations--I read 130 8th grade Science papers several times a week already so please no guessing guys.

 

David

Since you asked for brevity:

Yes, you could change one side.

You could also wear a pair of platforms on your right foot and a slipper on your left.

ALAN & DANNYP approaches are simple, inexpensive & quick, just dusty.

SACTO MITCH's suggestion for tire size is also good.

Both rear tires on my car were rubbing, not real badly, but whenever the suspension flexed on bumps.  I changed the rims.  The setback on the rims that came with the car was 4 1/2".  I found rims with a 4" set back that moved the tire away from the inner fender bead.  Not inexpensive or quick but it worked.

I've swatted my share of flies with sledge hammers, may be wise to consider the KISS approach as ALAN & DANNYP suggested.

BTW a belt sander with medium grit gets it done quickly...I use blue tape to mark my plan of attack

Fiberglass dust is nasty.  Wear a good dust mask, goggles and a long sleeve shirt you can throw away. DO NOT wash the shirt with other clothes as all will then cause itching.  Vacuum or blow your self off outside.  Be sure to paint where you sanded with couple coats of paint to seal the fiberglass.

Dunno what tires the OP has (which is why I asked), but if 185's, a simple switch down to 175's might be the most painless solution (although maybe not on the wallet).

Not much of a selection in 175's, although Continental makes a few nice ones (which I've had on my Mini Cooper for many years). I'm about to get a set for the Speedster.

My hunch is (on a swing axle rear), that not many would feel any difference in grip between 185's and 175's.

Running 4 bolt chromes and rear disc. Tires are 185x65. Tires do not rub---from the looks of the tires but, haven't really got aggressive with Speedy Yet. Looks like there has been some grinding down by PO. 

Yes-the doctor has excellent advice since he has delivered some many.

So here's the difference between 165 and 175.  I went from 165/80x15 to 185/65x15.  The car sits 1/2' lower (lire is 1 inch smaller diameter) - here you can see going to 1/75 would lower car another 1/4" since tire is 1/2" shorter.

Tire Size Comparison

Specification  Sidewall  Radius  Diameter  Circumference  Revs/Mile  Difference
185/65-15         4.7in  12.2in    24.5in         76.9in        824        0.0%
175/65-15         4.5in  12.0in    24.0in         75.3in        842       -2.1%

This looks like a cheap alternative to grinding FB thinner--like my RV I won't wear the tread before sidewall cracking

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sol...5-84H-Tires/55465197

Do yourself a favor and DON'T buy tires at Walmart. They can't get it right on a regular car, let alone a fancy little clown car.

If you posted that for illustrative purposes, then you're good, although I've never heard of that brand. Ever.

dont buy cheap tires!

It's hard to take yourself too seriously, when someone calls your ride "a fancy little clown car".  Maybe if folks spent more time looking for humor, they'd have less time  to be offended.  DANNYP thanks for the chuckle.

Ditto to BARNCOBOB's post.

I can't take credit. That phrase was coined by Stan Galat.

I purchase my tires at Walmart or Sam's. Every tire shop has the same issue--mounting guy here today gone tmro. My local Walmart guy has been with them for 12 years and he is the only guy to touch my cars/trucks etc--also the shop manager. They have the best prices I can find and ship them free to the store of choice. And---how many Walmarts are there so when you are on the road they don't close at 5 or you need an appointment. I check the sidewall rating, DOT stamp, wear limit etc. Just put 70,000 Kumho's on Tacoma that would have cost me $250 elsewhere (575 OTD)--yes I check others but then you waste time with wheeling and dealing. 

So pay $20 more per tire and get a name brand. Many tires are now made overseas with update Science and Technology. Try to buy a USA Brands TV, Frig etc.

Just my $.25--damn inflation

"a fancy little clown car".    - Tupperware-mobile.

I also like "glorified dune buggy."

Ok so back to the driver side shortened arm--would it make a significant driving difference to bring it in 1 inch like the passenger side.

I would do both sides the same and use a wheel spacer on the passenger's side so it looks even in the wheel well opening.  Rear axle geometry would then stay the same and no weird unequal axle jacking possible.

Ordered replacement BF Goodrich Sport tires from Walmart for MB - OEM staggered 40 series front and 45 rear.  They said they couldn't mount - another Walmart 20 miles away refused too saying their mounting equipment was from 1990.  Argh.

ALAN, EDSNOVA & WOLFGANG: Obviously, it's all down hill after "a fancy little clown car".

HERITAGE 2008: Aside from the clearance thing, If the objective is to leave passenger side trailing arm undisturbed, WOLFGANG's approach is a good one.  I can appreciate the aesthetics, I'm OCD when comes to symmetry. 

Save yourself time and aggravation,  sand the well lip as suggested previously it's  easy peasy and down the road you go